Album: Once Twice Melody

Artist(s): Beach House

Genre: Dream pop, Shoegaze

Release Date: Feb. 18, 2022

Length: 18 songs, 1 hour 24 min

*Jeremy’s pick*

Jeremy:In Beach House’s eighth studio album, Once Twice Melody, we see a variety of new sounds from the dream pop duo of Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally. The album was released in four different chapters, an unusual way for Beach House to roll out the album. Nevertheless, Once Twice Melody delivered.

I wasn’t expecting much knowing that it would be hard for this band to live up to their older albums, but I was pleasantly surprised. Initially, I didn’t like the fact that the album was released in different chapters because I felt as if I was missing something in each chapter as it came out one by one. But, when the full album was released, I was amazed by the way that everything fell into place.

This was a lengthier-than usual album for the band, with 18 songs played out over 1 hour and 24 minutes. Though some tracks don’t feel necessary or as amazing as some of the other tracks on this album, it was an incredible feeling to be able to listen to this many songs from the band since their last album (which was released 4 years ago). The album instantly reels you in with the intro song, Once Twice Melody. This song delivers the classic Beach House sound with the inclusion of dreamy vocals by Legrand.

Chapter One is my personal favorite chapter out of the four. This chapter includes the songs: Once Twice Melody, Superstar, Pink Funeral, and Through Me. The other three chapters contain some sounds that haven’t been heard as often from the band, such as the song Sunset, which uses a soothing acoustic guitar.

Songs such as New Romance and Another Go Around are similar-sounding to the band’s first couple of albums. Overall, this album completely exceeded my expectations and can definitely be considered a high-tier Beach House album.

Favorite tracks: Through me, Sunset, Only You Know

Felicity

Beach House is one of my favorite bands of all time because of their consistent depth of lyrics, infamous keyboard rhythms, and Legrand’s dreamy, beautifully mysterious low voice. They produce (and continue to produce) a sound unlike anything I have ever heard.

When I think of Beach House, I simply cannot compare them to another band/ artist, as their work is recognizable within just the first few notes, and is wonderfully crafted into a sound that has not been produced before. When Chapter One of Once Twice Melody first came out, I listened to every song numerous times, and knew that it was off to a great start.

I do, however, wish that the album was released in full, as some chapters appeared weaker than others until the album was complete. Although I would not consider this their strongest creation, they did come back from a four year hiatus to produce a lengthy and very dependable album. Unlike some of their other discography, this was an album that I did consider to have some “filler” songs.

However, to their credit, creating an album with eighteen songs is hard, as not every song is destined to be a winner. Unlike Jeremy, I think that this album is not as “high tier.” When choosing an album to play, I find myself reaching for other, in my opinion, stronger albums in their discography. That being said, Beach House is a band that truly cannot disappoint, and although it is not my favorite album by them, I see myself growing on it more with time.

Favorite tracks: Through Me, ESP, Another Go Around